Tennessee is a state in the southeastern region of the United States, bordered by eight other states. It is the 15th most populous and the 36th most extensive state in the country. Tennessee has a diverse geography, culture, and history that make it an interesting and attractive place to visit and explore. In this article, we will learn more about some of the facts and features of Tennessee, such as its name, regions, landmarks, inventions, and famous people.
The Origin of the Name Tennessee
The name Tennessee comes from the name of a Cherokee village called “Tanasie.” The Cherokee were one of the Native American tribes that lived in the area before the arrival of the Europeans. The first European explorer to set foot in Tennessee was Hernando de Soto, a Spanish conquistador, in 1540. He was followed by other explorers, traders, and settlers from France, England, and Spain.
Tennessee was originally part of North Carolina, but it became a separate territory in 1790. It joined the Union as the 16th state on June 1, 1796. Tennessee was the last state to secede from the Union during the Civil War and the first state to be readmitted after the war. Tennessee earned its nickname, “The Volunteer State,” because of its large contribution of soldiers during the War of 1812 and other wars.
The Three Regions of Tennessee
Tennessee is divided into three regions: East Tennessee, Middle Tennessee, and West Tennessee. Each region has its own distinct characteristics and attractions.
- East Tennessee is the mountainous region of the state, home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited national park in the United States. The park has a variety of wildlife, plants, and scenic views. East Tennessee is also known for its cultural heritage, especially its music. Bristol, Tennessee, is considered the “Birthplace of Country Music,” where the first commercial recordings of country music were made in 1927. Other musical genres, such as bluegrass, folk, and gospel, are also popular in East Tennessee. Some famous musicians from East Tennessee include Dolly Parton, Chet Atkins, and Kenny Chesney.
- Middle Tennessee is the central region of the state, where the capital, Nashville, is located. Nashville is the largest city in Tennessee and the center of the music industry. It is nicknamed the “Music City” and the “Athens of the South.” Nashville has many music venues, museums, and landmarks, such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Parthenon. Nashville is also a hub for education, health care, and business. Some famous people from Nashville include Oprah Winfrey, Miley Cyrus, and Reese Witherspoon.
- West Tennessee is the westernmost region of the state, where the second largest city, Memphis, is located. Memphis is situated on the Mississippi River and has a rich history and culture. It is known as the “Home of the Blues” and the “Birthplace of Rock and Roll.” Memphis has many attractions related to music, such as Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley, the Sun Studio, where Elvis and other legends recorded their songs, and the Beale Street, where many blues clubs and bars are located. Memphis is also famous for its barbecue, civil rights movement, and sports. Some famous people from Memphis include Aretha Franklin, Justin Timberlake, and Morgan Freeman.
The Inventions and Achievements of Tennessee
Tennessee has been the site of many inventions and achievements that have changed the world. Here are some examples:
- Cotton candy was invented in Tennessee in the early 1900s by a dentist, William Morrison, and a candymaker, John Wharton. They called it “fairy floss” and introduced it at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis.
- Mountain Dew was created in Tennessee in the 1940s by two brothers, Barney and Ally Hartman. They originally made it as a mixer for whiskey and named it after the Scots-Irish slang for moonshine.
- The Manhattan Project was a secret research and development project during World War II that produced the first atomic bombs. One of the main sites of the project was Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where thousands of scientists and workers worked on the uranium enrichment and plutonium production processes.
- The first mini-computer was developed in Tennessee in 1960 by a company called Control Data Corporation. The computer, called CDC 160, was small enough to fit on a desk and could perform 100,000 operations per second.
- The first artificial heart was implanted in a human in Tennessee in 1982 by a surgeon, William DeVries, and a biomedical engineer, Robert Jarvik. The patient, Barney Clark, lived for 112 days with the device, called Jarvik-7.
The Conclusion
Tennessee is a state with a lot of diversity, beauty, and innovation. It has a rich heritage of music, culture, and history that attracts millions of visitors every year. Tennessee is also a state with a lot of potential, creativity, and talent that contributes to the advancement of science, technology, and society. Tennessee is a state that deserves to be explored and celebrated.
